I.S.I.S. Foundation the Light-bringer The activities of the I.S.I.S. Foundation (International Study-centre for Independent Search for truth) are based on: ® 1. The essential unity of all that exists. 2. By reason of this unity: brotherhood as a fact in nature. 3. Respect for everyone’s free will (when applied from this idea of universal brotherhood). 4. Respect for everyone’s freedom to build up their own view of life. 5. To support the developing of everyone’s own view of life and its application in daily practice. LuciferFor seekers of Truth Current topics viewed in the light of the Ancient Wisdom or Theo-sophia — the common source of all great world religions, philosophies and sciences Why this journal is called Lucifer The Great Passing: the autumnal Lucifer literally means Bringer of Light. Each culture in the East and West has his bringers of light: inspiring initiation individuals who give the initial impulse to spiritual growth and social reform. They stimulate independent thinking and living with a profound awareness Gandhi on of brotherhood. Theosophy These bringers of light have always been opposed and slandered by the establishment. But there are always those who refuse to be put off by these Why are we so busy? slanderers, and start examining the wisdom of the bringers of light in an open-minded and unprejudiced way. For these people this journal is written. What causes order in nature? “… the title chosen for our magazine is as much associated with divine ideas as with the supposed rebellion of the hero of Milton’s Paradise Lost … Progressive We work for true Religion and Science, in the interest of fact as against evolution fiction and prejudice. It is our duty – as it is that of physical Science – to throw light on facts in Nature hitherto surrounded by the darkness of ignorance … But natural Sciences are only one aspect of SCIENCE and Future senses TRUTH. Psychological and moral Sciences, or theosophy, the knowledge of divine truth, are still more important …” (Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in the first issue of Lucifer, September 1887) No. 3 | October 2019 Publication of I.S.I.S. Foundation (International Study-centre for Independent Search for truth) Editorial p. 66 The Great Passing The autumnal initiation p. 67 The last of the four large initiations takes place at the time of the autumn equinox. Which mysteries are linked to this initiation, the one that is most difficult to understand? Barend Voorham Skeleton of the sea bisquit, a kind of sea urchin. Theosophy in Nature What causes order in nature? Gandhi on Theosophy and the p. 91 the Light-bringer global civilization of tomorrow, Modern scientific equipment allows us to part 2 look at the microstructures of animal and p. 75 plant cells. The cell processes turn out to For building a wiser world civilization, be even more complex, more precise and — Gandhi’s ideas on absolute and relative truth, smarter than we already thought. We find a on the sacred and on community life are very similar order in many other areas of nature. relevant. Where does this come from? James Tepfer Henk Bezemer Questions & Answers 95 Why are we so busy? And how do we stop being so busy » Progressive evolution » Future senses Lucifer p. 83 Awakening latent capacities » What does “being busy” actually entail and how did we end up this way? And what can we do to be less busy or at least not feel stressed about it? Erwin Bomas No. 3 | October 2019 No. Contents Lucifer no. 3 | October 2019 | 65 Editorial In this issue of Lucifer, the Light-bringer, we have attempted – as we always do – to show the depth of Theosophia and at the same time its practical value. The depth of Theosophy is evident from the fourth of the Great Initiations, the Autumnal Initiation. In the northern countries, in the autumn the leaves fall from the trees and life withdraws. It is the time of self-reflection. In the fourth of the Holy Seasons, the initiation of the Great Passing, the initiate can reap … or he can refuse the harvest of his victory out of compassion. A choice that everyone faces at some point. With this article we conclude the series of four articles about the Esoteric Year. The applicability of Theosofia is clearly highlighted in the second article about Gandhi. His life and work are still an inspiration for a new, just and harmonious world. This article also extensively reflects on the lasting influence that Gandhi has in the world Stress is one of the major problems that affects humanity today. Both young and old suffer from burn outs and lack of zest for life. However, we can combat this modern ailment. The more scientific side of Theosophia comes to the fore in an article in the series Theosophy in Nature. This article reflects on the wonderful, universal order in Nature. If you see and understand some of it, it gives you a sense of beauty and it inspires you to live according to these laws. In our question section we give our vision on progressive evolution and on two senses that have not yet been developed. Living according to the laws of Nature – cooperating with Nature – is in fact the only solution to all human problems. In this Lucifer we have again tried to show some of these laws of Nature in the hope that it will inspire us all to live according to them. As always, we welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. The editors 66 | Lucifer no. 3 | October 2019 Barend Voorham The Great Passing The autumnal initiation The last of the four large initiations takes place at the time of the autumn equinox. Which mysteries are linked to this initiation, the one that is most difficult to understand? This is the last article in a series of four.(1) As with any seasonal change, people The spring-initiation on the 21st of also used to celebrate around the time March is the Great Temptation. The of the autumn equinox. These fes- midsummer festival of June the 21st tivities are less familiar if compared is known as the initiation of the with the winter festival, which we call Great Renunciation. And finally, Christmas, or Easter, the spring holy- there is the initiation of autumn, day, or the midsummer festival. Yet, which is called the Great Passing. we can still find more than enough Anyone can easily see that these four historical facts from many cultures phases of the year correspond with indicating that there have also been the birth, youth, adulthood and important religious festivities around death of a human life. Key thoughts the 23rd of September, when the Furthermore, all ancient peoples also summer turns into autumn. associated these four stages with the » During the initiation, the four wind directions. North is birth; personal man consciously unites Cycle through the year East is youth; South represents adult- himself with the spiritual source The ceremonies celebrated around the hood; and West has always been asso- from which he originates. autumn equinox always have death ciated with death. This of course, has as their main theme. This also makes everything to do with the sun, which » In the autumn initiation, sense. As autumn heralds the end of plays a crucial role in all initiations. the initiate gets to know all the the year, death is the end of external Seen from the northern hemisphere, mysteries of death. life. the sun is “born” in the north, travels The celebration of the autumnal through the east and south to the » If the initiate is to succeed, equinox must therefore always be west, where he “dies”. his heart must be as light as “the seen in the light of the preceding Like all sacred festivities, the feather of Truth” and he must be sacred festivals. Christians have also attempted to indifferent to joy and sorrow. First of all, there is the festival of incorporate the festival of the au- birth, which is celebrated around the tumn equinox into their tradition. 21st of December: the winter solstice. As the summer solstice has been Lucifer no. 3 | October 2019 | 67 associated with John the Baptist, the Archangel Michael was associated with the autumnal equinox. His anni- The six Pāramitās which are being versary is now celebrated on September 29, but this has contemplated during Higan: more to do with the inaccurate calendars that were used 1. Dāna, the key to gentleness and eternal love. in the early days of Christianity. 2. Sīla, the key to harmony in word and gesture. Moreover, it is certainly not by chance that Michael was 3. Kshānti, gentle patience which can be disturbed chosen as a saint for the celebration of autumn, for he is by nothing. said to accompany the dead to paradise, just like the Greek 4. Vīrya, untamable force. Hermes. Furthermore, he would weigh the souls at the 5. Dhyāna, meditation. Last Judgement, which is why he is depicted with a scale. 6. Prajñā, wisdom. The celebration of autumn in Japan The autumnal festival is not only celebrated in Europe. During this time religious festivities also take place in is burned, flowers are sacrificed, and people send prayers other countries. Probably the largest of these is the Jap- to their ancestors for the salvation of the deceased. anese Higan. This festival is celebrated both at the time of the spring and autumnal equinox. Eleusinian Mysteries Higan is the equivalent for the Sanskrit word pāra, which Such religious festivities in the fall are not only celebrated means “beyond”, “across” or “other shore”.